I see more moments in time and media where I think to myself (and now you) “What were you thinking”!  It amazes me, quite often, what politicians, sports figures, celebrities, and those on news shows (I can’t find my way to say “Journalist” anymore) are willing to say to the public, or in this day, the world.  The first amendment gives us, in the United States, the right to free speech.  The first amendment however does not absolve you of the consequences of your words.  My point is this; What happened to “If you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say it at all'”?  When did everyone get so ugly to one another?  So many hide behind the monitor and their keyboard and say so many nasty things to people they will never know.   Someone in New Jersey can insult someone in Barcelona, whom they never met, with nothing more than a keystroke. When the CB radio craze was going on in the 70’s and 80’s the FCC was all about people being respectful over the radio waves.  Well, they all found a way to circumnavigate the rules and laws and make the CB (Citizens Band) not only obsolete, but obscene.  Today, someone in Europe can say whatever they want to say about someone in India, instantly.  A student can say something about another student at their same school and it hurts locally, and global, in an instant, worldwide, “viral” WORLDWIDE.

I am not saying there should be some sort of regulation on speech.  Free speech, and press, is the backbone of a truly free society, those that agree with the message and those that do not have an equal share. Teach everyone tolerance and acceptance, then  have a debate.   Teach how to understand someone’s alternative position.   So someone disagrees with you, well, give it a think before bashing.  I think the regulation, if any, might need to be at home.  It is not okay to “bash” or “hate” on others over “social media” (In quotes because social media is anything but social)  just because you can hide behind the wall, that is your screen.  I guess my thought is this, if you can’t or won’t say it directly to someone’s face, then don’t say it.  You can also do what I do, give it a few minutes, hours or days and then decide if it is worth putting out onto the world wide web, permanently. You can also choose to be a good person.  Choose to help, or lend a hand.  Choose to be positive and not negative.   Choose to be good.